2 Samuel 19:13
New International Version
And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.’”

New Living Translation
And David told them to tell Amasa, “Since you are my own flesh and blood, like Joab, may God strike me and even kill me if I do not appoint you as commander of my army in his place.”

English Standard Version
And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’”

Berean Standard Bible
And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’”

King James Bible
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

New King James Version
And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more so, if you will not be commander of the army for me continually, in place of Joab.’”

NASB 1995
“Say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you will not be commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.’”

NASB 1977
“And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you will not be commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you will not be commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.’”

Amplified Bible
Say to Amasa [the commander of Absalom’s troops], ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you will not be commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’”

Christian Standard Bible
And tell Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me and do so severely if you don’t become commander of my army from now on instead of Joab! ’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And tell Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me and do so severely if you don’t become commander of the army from now on instead of Joab!’”

American Standard Version
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

Contemporary English Version
And tell Amasa, "You're my nephew, and with God as a witness, I swear I'll make you commander of my army instead of Joab."

English Revised Version
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
And tell Amasa, 'Aren't you my flesh and blood? May God strike me dead unless you are given Joab's place to serve me always as the commander of the army.'"

Good News Translation
David also told them to say to Amasa, "You are my relative. From now on I am putting you in charge of the army in place of Joab. May God strike me dead if I don't!"

International Standard Version
Then ask Amasa, 'Aren't you my own flesh and blood? So may God deal with me, no matter how severely, if from this day forward you don't take Joab's place as commander of my army.'

Majority Standard Bible
And say to Amasa, ?Aren?t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!??

NET Bible
Say to Amasa, 'Are you not my flesh and blood? God will punish me severely, if from this time on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!'"

New Heart English Bible
Say to Amasa, 'Aren?t you my bone and my flesh? Now then, God do so to me, and more also, if you aren?t commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

World English Bible
Say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren’t captain of the army before me continually instead of Joab.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And say to Amasa, Are you not my bone and my flesh? Thus God does to me, and thus He adds, if you are not head of the host before me instead of Joab [for] all the days.”

Young's Literal Translation
And to Amasa say ye, Art not thou my bone and my flesh? Thus doth God do to me, and thus He doth add, if thou art not head of the host before me all the days instead of Joab.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And to Amasa ye shall say, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? thus will God do to me and thus will he add, if thou shalt not be chief of the army before me all the days, instead of Joab.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And say ye to Amasa: Art not thou my bone, and my flesh? So do God to me and add more, if thou be not the chief captain of the army before me always in the place of Joab.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And say to Amasa: ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do these things, and may he add these other things, if you will not be the leader of the military in my sight, for all time, in the place of Joab.’ ”

New American Bible
Also say to Amasa: ‘Are you not my bone and flesh? May God do thus to me, and more, if you do not become commander of my army permanently in place of Joab.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? So may God do to me, and more, if you are not the commander of my army from now on, in place of Joab.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to Amasa, Behold, you are my flesh and my bone. God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of my army permanently instead of Joab.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to Amasa: “Behold, you are my flesh and my bones. So God shall do to me and thus he will add to me unless you will be the General of the army before me all the days in the place of Yuab!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And say ye to Amasa: Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye shall say to Amessai, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? and now God do so to me, and more also, if thou shalt not be commander of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Restored as King
12You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?’ 13And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from this time you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’” 14So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man, and they sent word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants.”…

Cross References
1 Kings 2:5-6
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

1 Kings 2:32-35
The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.” / So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness. ...

2 Samuel 3:27-30
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. / Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. / May it whirl over the head of Joab and over the entire house of his father, and may the house of Joab never be without one having a discharge or skin disease, or one who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.” ...

2 Samuel 3:38-39
Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not realize that a great prince has fallen today in Israel? / And I am weak this day, though anointed as king, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too fierce for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil!”

1 Chronicles 11:6
Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.

1 Chronicles 12:18
Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers, for your God helps you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his troops.

1 Kings 1:7-8
So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him. / But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah.

1 Kings 1:19
And he has sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the other sons of the king, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army. But he has not invited your servant Solomon.

1 Kings 1:32-40
Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. / “Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. / There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ ...

1 Kings 2:28-34
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...

Matthew 10:2-4
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; / Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; / Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

Mark 3:16-19
These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (whom He named Peter), / James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”), / Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, ...

Luke 6:13-16
When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles: / Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; / Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot; ...

Acts 1:13
When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

Acts 1:23-26
So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. / And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen / to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And say you to Amasa, Are you not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

Amasa

2 Samuel 17:25
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.

1 Chronicles 2:16,17
Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three…

1 Chronicles 12:18
Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

God

Ruth 1:17
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

1 Kings 19:2
Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

room of Joab

2 Samuel 19:5-7
And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; …

2 Samuel 3:29,30
Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread…

2 Samuel 8:16
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

Jump to Previous
Add Amasa Ama'sa Army Blood Bone Captain Commander Continually Deal Flesh God's Head Henceforth Host Instead Joab Jo'ab Punishment Room Severely
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Add Amasa Ama'sa Army Blood Bone Captain Commander Continually Deal Flesh God's Head Henceforth Host Instead Joab Jo'ab Punishment Room Severely
2 Samuel 19
1. Joab causes the king to cease his mourning
9. The Israelites are earnest to bring the king back
11. David sends to the priest to incite them of Judah
18. Shimei is pardoned
24. Mephibosheth excused
32. Barzillai dismissed, and Chimham his son taken into the king's family
41. The Israelites expostulate with Judah for bringing home the king without them














And say to Amasa
The name Amasa is derived from the Hebrew root "עָמַס" (amas), meaning "to carry a load" or "to burden." Amasa was the son of Abigail, David's sister, making him David's nephew. This familial connection is significant in the context of ancient Israel, where kinship often played a crucial role in political and military alliances. David's directive to speak to Amasa highlights the importance of reconciliation and unity within the family and the nation after the civil strife caused by Absalom's rebellion.

Are you not my own flesh and blood?
This phrase underscores the deep familial ties between David and Amasa. In the Hebrew culture, "flesh and blood" signifies a close kinship bond, emphasizing loyalty and mutual obligation. David's appeal to Amasa on the basis of their shared lineage reflects a strategic move to consolidate his rule by bringing together divided factions. It also serves as a reminder of the covenantal relationships that God established with His people, where unity and reconciliation are paramount.

May God punish me, and ever so severely
This is a solemn oath invoking divine retribution if David fails to fulfill his promise. The Hebrew phrase "כֹּה יַעֲשֶׂה לִי אֱלֹהִים וְכֹה יוֹסִיף" (ko ya'aseh li Elohim ve'ko yosef) is a common formula in the Old Testament, expressing a serious commitment. It reflects the gravity with which David approaches the situation, acknowledging God's sovereignty and justice. This oath underscores the seriousness of David's intention to restore order and justice in his kingdom.

if you do not become commander of my army
By offering Amasa the position of commander, David is making a significant political and military decision. The role of commander was crucial in maintaining the king's power and ensuring the security of the nation. This offer is both a gesture of reconciliation and a strategic move to win the loyalty of those who had supported Absalom. It demonstrates David's willingness to forgive and integrate former adversaries for the greater good of Israel.

from now on in place of Joab
Joab, David's long-serving commander, was a formidable and often ruthless leader. His actions, including the killing of Absalom against David's explicit orders, had strained his relationship with the king. By replacing Joab with Amasa, David is signaling a new beginning and a break from past conflicts. This decision reflects the biblical theme of renewal and the hope for a future aligned with God's purposes. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of aligning one's actions with divine will.

(13) Say ye to Amasa.--Amasa, like Joab, was David's nephew, although possibly his mother may have been only half-sister to David. In this offer of the command-in-chief to the rebel general, David adopted a bold, but a rash and unjust policy. Amasa should have been punished, not rewarded for his treason. He had given no evidence of loyalty, nor was there proof that he would be trustworthy. Moreover, this appointment would be sure to provoke the jealousy and hostility of Joab. But David had long been restless under the overbearing influence of Joab (see 2Samuel 19:22; 2Samuel 16:10; 2Samuel 3:39), and now since he had murdered Absalom, was determined to be rid of him. He therefore took advantage of the opportunity by this means to win over to himself what remained of the military organisation of Absalom.

Verse 13. - Of my bone, and of my flesh; Hebrew, art thou not my bone and my flesh? - a most near and dear relative. It is difficult to understand why in the Authorized Version this common metaphor in the Hebrew has been so meddled with, Ewald thinks that this purposed degradation of Joab and the substitution of Amasa in his stead was a wise and politic act. It was to some extent just, for Joab was a man stained with many murders; but politic it was not. Passing over the fact that Amasa had actually taken the command of the rebel army, he was an ambitious and selfish man, and could lay no claim to that sturdy fidelity which had characterized Joab throughout his long service. For all he had done had been for David's good, and his advice, however roughly given, had averted grave misfortunes. Joab's murder of Absalom was an act of wilful disobedience; but David had used Joab for a far meaner murder, committed, not for reasons of statesmanship; but for purposes of lust. The guilt of slaying Absalom was as nothing compared with that of slaying Uriah, nor was it so base as the assassination of Abner, which David had tolerated, though made angry by it. The dismissal of Joab could have been effected only by putting him to death, and this certainly he did not deserve at David's hands; and the attempt, unless carried out secretly, would have led to tumult and insurrection. Joab, too, was a far more skilful general than Amasa, who, with larger forces, had just suffered a disastrous defeat; and if Joab was removed secretly, his brother Abishai remained to avenge him. David was, in fact, blinded by love for the son whom for so many years he had treated with coldness. There was a strong reaction now in the father's mind, and under its influence he was prepared to sacrifice the nephew who had been faithful to him and saved him, for the nephew who had joined in Absalom's rebellion. But possibly it had an immediate good effect, as Amasa, assured of forgiveness and promotion, now took David's side.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And say
תֹּֽמְר֔וּ (tō·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to Amasa,
וְלַֽעֲמָשָׂא֙ (wə·la·‘ă·mā·śā)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6021: Amasa -- two Israelites

‘Aren’t
הֲל֛וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

you
אָ֑תָּה (’āt·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

my flesh
וּבְשָׂרִ֖י (ū·ḇə·śā·rî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

and blood?
עַצְמִ֥י (‘aṣ·mî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

May God
אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

punish
כֹּ֣ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

me,
לִּ֤י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

and ever so
וְכֹ֣ה (wə·ḵōh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

severely,
יוֹסִ֔יף (yō·w·sîp̄)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

from this time
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

you are
תִּהְיֶ֧ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

not
לֹ֠א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

the commander
שַׂר־ (śar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of my
לְפָנַ֛י (lə·p̄ā·nay)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

army
צָבָ֞א (ṣā·ḇā)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

in place
תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

of Joab!’”
יוֹאָֽב׃ (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites


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OT History: 2 Samuel 19:13 Say you to Amasa Aren't you my (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 19:12
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